My First Influencer Collaboration: Mikey D

My First Influencer Collaboration: Mikey Davison

I’ll be honest when I first heard the term influencer, I imagined people grabbing free clothes, taking a few photos, and moving on to the next brand.

That was my impression until I met Mikey Davison, affectionately called Mikey D by The GB Team.

Mikey reached out asking if I’d make a wedding suit for him and his fiancée, Ava's wedding. At first, I wasn’t sure, I’d never collaborated with an influencer before. But after speaking with Mikey, I realised he was not only genuine but incredibly dedicated to his work.

Early fabric options and first fit, some extra room on chest, it's a baste so all is fine!

He came to me with an idea for a cropped olive green jacket paired with a straight but wided leg trouser. A design that instantly caught my eye. It had a modern confidence to it; something clean yet full of attitude.

As we talked, I began to understand just how much work goes into what he does. Every post, every collaboration is meticulously planned mood boards, storyboards, styling tests, brand approvals. It’s a full-time creative operation.

Mikey told me he’d originally worked in the building trade, but after seeing Ava’s success as an influencer, he decided to take a bold step into the world fashion influencing. His evolution is impressive experimenting with fluid silhouettes, sometimes wearing skirts, always pushing the boundaries of modern menswear. It’s got that Balenciaga-meets-Brighton-meets-Milan energy that just works.

We did the fitting, and he got his Gresham Blake suit in plenty of time for his wedding

On one occasion, Mikey got me to photograph him wearing one of my suits in Carnaby Street. I was amazed by how many people recognised him and came over to chat more than a few celebrities I know!

I’d like to say I was a great photographer, but there’s a very specific way these guys have their photos taken, and I clearly hadn’t mastered it. There are features on an iPhone that I’m pretty sure I’d never even seen before. In the end, I don’t think Mikey used the shots and honestly, I don’t blame him.

A quick selfie from Carnaby Street

That day gave me a new respect for what influencers actually do. There’s so much more to it than just wearing clothes. They understand styling, framing, light, and angles in a way that makes everything look intentional and fresh. And the pressure must be huge constantly creating, posting, staying relevant, and keeping engagement up.

I imagine it’s not easy knowing that if your likes dip or your following slips, you could lose work. Because behind the gloss, this is work. Real work.

Behind the scenes with Mikey for the Cameron Twins x Gresham Blake project.

Looking good in a tweed three piece

Mikey kindly returned the favour for the wedding suit by getting involved in several of our own creative projects. He’s come down to Brighton more than once shooting for the Cameron Twins project, and for a tweed shoot and later for our Autumn/Winter 25 collection.

Mikey for the Gresham Blake Autumn/Winter 25

He’s got a genuine creative curiosity, and it’s been great to collaborate with someone who understands both the artistry and the graft behind what we do.

When he later came to me looking to create a collection of ten suits, we sat down together and chose fabrics directly from a mill to keep the production tight and efficient. The style direction wasn’t my usual but fitted into a growing trend, of lose fitting double `breasted suits.

We had swatches sent to his home

Mikey wanted something looser and more expressive. Think 90s Richard Gere meets Wolf of Wall Street: wide lapels, draped sleeves, elongated proportions, and natural movement through the body.

Mikey D and Ava at Dior in Gresham Blake bespoke — full-circle style moment.

Some might question whether influencers are really needed in this day and age, but I think they play an important role. It’s not just about clothes it’s about confidence, expression, and positivity.

There’s plenty of negativity out there, so it’s refreshing to see people like Mikey using style to inspire and uplift others. And truthfully, my own job isn’t so different some might call it vanity, but I believe that when someone puts on a well-made suit, it changes how they feel. Confidence, pride, and the sense that you’ve designed something yourself that’s powerful.

At the end of the day, I’m in the business of making people feel great about themselves. And in that sense, we’re not so different after all.

Mikey doing his thing..follow him @mikey.davi and Ava @avablack